Preservation

by Peter Svenson

Book by Svenson, Peter

Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Peter Svenson was born in 1944. He has a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.F.A. in painting from the University of North Carolina. He lives Cross Keys, Virginia.

Reviews

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Preservation", Peter Svenson more-or-less alternates biographical chapters with current stories of his farm in Virginia, site of a not very famous Civil War battle. The stories of his growing up are engaging, though told in overwrought prose most of the time. The most interesting parts (to me) tell of his experiences as a hay farmer: from using small equipment cutting the hay that just happens to be growing there when he bought the place, he slowly purchases larger tools, often in poor condition, refurbishes them and makes his hay operation more efficient, culminating in plowing half his acreage under and starting over with a new, more desirable forage crop. It's a nice little book, not his best work, but worth reading.